A Guide To Extending Your Fighting Career With Jiu Jitsu Insurance.

If you are a jiu jitsu fighter, injuries are inevitable. That means that paying for medical bills is an unavoidable part of training and fighting. Unfortunately, there is no way to know how much those medical bills will cost until after you have already been injured and treated.

Large medical bills can bankrupt you, and leaving injuries untreated will end your competition career. If competing is an essential part of your life, then carrying jiu jitsu insurance coverage should be a top priority. When you are insured you have a better chance of extending your days fighting.

Types of Jiu Jitsu Insurance

There are three types of low cost insurance programs every Brazilian jiu jitsu athlete needs to know about:

Accident & Injury Plans

This type of plan sends you a check every time you have to see a doctor for an accident or injury. You can use this check to pay your medical bills, or use it for other expenses and it does not matter if you have any other coverage or not. These plans usually also include a life insurance policy. Accident and injury insurance is inexpensive, with an average cost of only $8-$25 per month.

Hospitalization Plans

The hospitalization plan pays you a lump sum payment for each day you are in the hospital. You can use this money however you wish. This plan will pay you a lump sum benefit even if you have other health insurance coverage. Hospitalization plans cost between $10 and $30 a month.

Income Insurance Plans

These plans send you monthly payments when you are out of work because of health problems. Short term disability insurance pays out quickly so that you can take care of yourself and pay your bills. Long term disability kicks in if you become permanently disabled. You will need to talk to an insurance agent to determine the price of these plans because they are usually based on your age and income.

Which Type Of Jiu Jitsu Insurance Should I Buy?

If you are older or have pre-existing medical conditions, you should purchase an accident and injury insurance plan. This plan does not require any medical underwriting or medical questions at the time of application. This means anyone will get accepted for one of these insurance plans, no matter if they have other underlying health issues or not.  

If you have don’t have traditional health insurance coverage, you should definitely invest in a hospitalization plan. Even if you have health insurance, you usually are responsible for large deductibles and uncovered expenses if you are hospitalized. This type of insurance makes sense for everyone.

If you are young and healthy, you can lock in a very low rate for disability insurance. The disability plans offered through employers are often light on benefits, so it is better to buy your own income protection plan with the assistance of an insurance broker. This will guarantee that you’re getting a good plan that will help replace your lost income when you need it.

In an ideal world, every jiu jitsu fighter would have all three types of supplemental insurance as well as a traditional health insurance plan. Jiu jitsu is a high risk sport, whether you are a weekend warrior or competitive athlete. Injuries will happen, so you need to be fully prepared to face the costs of treatment and recovery if you want to get back on the mats quickly after getting hurt.

What Is The Difference Between Traditional Health Insurance and Jiu Jitsu Insurance?

Traditional health insurance plans do not pay all of your medical bills, and they do not provide you money to cover your normal bills during recovery. When you use traditional major medical plans, you can only see approved doctors and receive approved treatments. Traditional health plans also only pay money direct to the doctors, and usually leave you to still owe money.

While we always recommend that fighters have traditional health insurance, it is only a partial solution to major financial loss. Supplemental jiu jitsu insurance plans fill in the gaps so that you are not left in medical debt. These plans pay out directly to you, and they pay out quickly. Jiu jitsu insurance gives you cash in hand to deal with the day to day expenses of being injured.

Position Yourself For Recovery

Jiu Jitsu teaches you to control the frame and always position yourself for recovery. Even if you win every fight, an injury outside of the ring could take you down, ruining your finances and your fighting career. If you want to live the jiu jitsu lifestyle, you must carry the lessons you learn on the mat into the rest of your life.

In order to position yourself for recovery from injuries, you need to talk to a licensed insurance professional who also has a deep knowledge of the sport. We’re here to help, and we’re always just a phone call away.

Real-Life Examples Of Jiu Jitsu Injuries

Accidents are inevitable. You can suffer an injury even if you are not on the mat. One real-life example of this is Dean Lister. Dean was walking back home after getting food one day after work. On the way back to his home, he was struck by a vehicle.

This tragic event left Dean out of work for several months because he could not travel and teach seminars. Because he was out of work for an extended period, the medical and personal debt began to pile up rapidly.

Supplemental insurance plans pay out directly to you, and these plans pay out quickly. It does not matter if you are injured on or off the mat. These policies allow you to keep paying your bills and covering your expenses, even when you are out of work.

It is an unfortunate reality, but many combat sports athletes cannot afford medical treatment in the likely event of an injury. Miriam Nakamoto is a world champion kickboxer. She is one of the millions of people who cannot afford healthcare. A knee injury has kept this woman financially struggling and out of competition since 2013.

In an interview with Joe Rogan, she discusses the realities of life since then. Several months later Miriam Nakamoto received a blessing when she learned that Joe Rogan was willing to pay for the entire medical procedure for her knee. However, most of us will not be so lucky. Without jiu jitsu insurance, most fighters will not receive the medical care they need.

Gabriel Duniz was a gifted fighter. At the young age of 15, this boy was skilled enough to be granted a pass to compete at the adult level. During one of his fights, he became the victim of one of the most lethal injuries in sports. He suffered a spinal injury.

As a result of the injury, he severely damaged his third and fourth vertebrates. After undergoing two surgeries to realign the spine and remove bone fragments, doctors are still unsure if Gabriel will regain movement in the limbs.

What would happen to you if you were permanently disabled in a fight or during training? Qualifying for disability payments in the US takes years. Income protection insurance for short term disability is designed to pay out quickly. If your short term disability becomes permanent, long term disability insurance will send you payments for the rest of your life. Get protected today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Insurance

Is Jiu Jitsu Insurance Expensive?

This depends on the type of insurance you purchase. You can spend as little as $8 a month. Many fighters choose to budget $50 to $100 a month for supplemental insurance. This guarantees that they will receive fast payments every time they face a medical setback. Scott Sievewright is a Milwaukee, WI based BJJ athlete who purchased two of these plans for under $50 per month and when he tore his ACL not only did these plans pay 100% of all his medical bills but they paid him an extra $1000 bucks on top of everything. You can read all about Scott and his insurance polices in this blog post, click here >>.

What Is The Best Jiu Jitsu Insurance Plan For Me?

That is determined by your budget and your needs. It is always better to carry some form of jiu jitsu insurance when fighting. Contact us for a free consultation, and we will help you to determine the best plans for your specific needs.

Do These Plans Pay Out To Me or To My Doctors?

These plans pay you directly. A check will be mailed to your home. Supplemental insurance pays out quickly, so you get the money when you need it most. You may decide to use the money to pay medical bills, cover rent, or buy groceries. The money is yours to spend however you want.

Can I Become Permanently Disabled While Participating In This Sport?

Jiu Jitsu is a high risk sport. Every fighter will be injured at some point during their fighting career. While most fighters recover from injuries, some fighters do not fully recover and become permanently disabled. If you are serious about fighting, you also need to be serious about financial planning for these risks.

How Do I Buy Jiu Jitsu Insurance?

You need to speak to a licensed insurance agent who is also familiar with the sport. An agent can help you to identify your financial needs, determine how much coverage you need, and help you pick the best insurance policies. Give us a call today, we will give you a free consultation!

Torn ACL to Fuji BJJ medalist in just 12 - months, with Scott Sievewright.

I am here with Scott Sievewright, on February 28th, two days after the grappling event at Fuji Brazilian jiu jitsu tournament that he attended and competed in.

Scott is the owner of Primal MMA gym in Milwaukee, WI. He is also a policy holder of Jiujitsuinsurance.com. He has an interesting story because he had an injury not too long ago that required urgent medical treatment.

He has multiple insurance policies with us and because of our insurance programs that we him enrolled into, he was able to get treatment right away for his injury, and get back on the mats in time for the Fuji BJJ tournament. Scott had a successful tournament, and in fact, got second place in both of his adult divisions!

Here is an interview with Scott detailing his recovery process after his torn ACL (without surgery) and how his jiu jitsu insurance coverage paid all of his medical bills 100% as well as paid him extra cash to use during his recovery from this injury.

So Scott, how was the Fuji Brazilian jiu jitsu tournament in Milwaukee? How was your experience?

Actually, it is the first time I've done Fuji and I was very impressed with how well organized and smoothly it ran. They have their own software, which updated all the competitors where they were supposed to be, and when they were to be expected. I came away with nothing but a good perspective.

The Fuji BJJ competition in Milwaukee was well run. I was also there at jujitsuinsurance.com vendor table, so I can also attest to that. It went very smoothly and it looks like you took two silver medals, congratulations on that.

However, you're coming off a pretty serious injury. Today is February 28th, 2022, when was that injury and what was it?

Okay, so I wasn't thrilled with the two silver medals, but I was thrilled to be back on the mats. It’s been exactly one year since I hurt my knee during a training session. After an MRI, I found out I tore my ACL, two menisci, and had some other damage in the ligaments.

How, how did that injury happen? During grappling practice?

Through grappling practice. Yep. I zigged when the other guy zagged and felt the big dreaded pop.

And this was from a take down?

This was from a take down, yes.

So you just felt your knee pop?

I felt my knee pop immediately and the swelling began pretty shortly after.

How long did it take you until you got medical care?

Well, first of all, because my regular medical insurance wasn't particularly good, it was a short term insurance policy that I had with a high deductible, so I went the usual route of asking friends and people who had a little bit of experience before I finally got myself to a PT.

I got to a PT within a few days after the injury. Of course they couldn’t really tell you what's going on there, but over time as I didn't heal as quickly as I thought, the pain didn't go away as early as I thought, and the functionality didn't come back, so I finally decided to go and see an orthopedic surgeon and get an MRI.

And how many days after the accident was that MRI done? Do you remember?

I did a little “wait and see”, I did a lot of reading and educating myself, but I think it was almost one month after the initial pop.

Okay, after the visits to the doctors, the rehabilitation and also the MRI, what was the final diagnosis?

So again, the diagnosis was a partial tear of the ACL, which meant surgery was an option for me or rehab. It's kind of a coin toss, a wait and see kind of thing, which I decided to do.

I thought I'd give the rehab a good go first. So as far as medical attention was concerned, I went to a PT regularly, I saw my doctor once and I got the MRI just to confirm.

And when was this accident again?

The accident was in February, 2021.

So this has been basically one year?

Exactly one year.

And how long did it take before you started, after your accident going through PT? How long did it take before you started feeling a bit more confident on the mats?

Well, I decided to take it slowly. I turned 45 this year, so I'm no spring chicken. But I guess three months. I was pretty much incapacitated for that time. I do work as a coach in the martial arts business, so that was tough. And then I had some rehab on the side and I gradually, gradually started to get a little bit more….…

A bit more mobility or confidence?

A little bit more mobility and confidence. I think the mobility came back before the confidence. I would say from month zero to three no action. Three to six, I just found myself in very comfortable positions with people I trusted. Six to nine months, I started to get a little bit more into it, getting some of my confidence, and movement back. The last couple of months have for the most part, been back to relatively a hundred percent.

And so you're a brown belt and you were competing in the adult expert No-gi division, correct?

Yes.

What weight class?

170 pounds. And yeah, I went to the adult division. I lied about my age.

And so one year later we have you back now. the most, the most interesting detail is you had two, not one, but two jujitsu insurance policies with us.

Two accident - injury policies on top of the low cost major medical insurance. And the reason we doubled up on the accident injury policy was because we saw that there was a gap in your short term medical plan with almost a $10,000 out of pocket before the insurance company would pay anything.

So for just a couple extra dollars, we were able to put you in accident, injury policies, and both of those policies paid you directly cash benefits after you filed a claim for those injuries.

Do you remember what your total medical bills were from the doctor visits and the MRI? About roughly what was the total cost of your medical bills? And then what was the amount of money you got back from the insurance company to reimburse you for those medical bills?

Sure. Just a little bit about the insurance. I come from the UK, where we have all our medical needs taken care of, so I'm not too familiar with the American insurance system. But when I opened the gym and became self-employed, I had to buy for the first time my own insurance policy, which was a short term insurance policy. I had a very high deductible out of pocket, which was of course a concern, but I knew it would cover anything catastrophic which is why I picked that one.

This was when my friend introduced me to the jiu jitsu insurance policies and spoke to me about how these programs work as supplements to my medical plan. And I thought that might be a good way to protect myself from any kind of garden variety of small injury bills that I might incur, which wouldn't have been covered under my short term policy. I'm always hoping never to be injured but it is part of my job to be on the mats and be mobile so I figured I needed to have this coverage.

From the initial injury, from my PT, I was paying out of pocket 100%. I think I had about six visits to the PT, which I paid about $100 bucks each. Or maybe $80 bucks each. So that came in around $500 cash out of pocket for my PT. I then went to the doctors for an MRI. Between the billing coming through and going to the doctor and MRI, that came through, gonna say around $1000 dollars, just under $1000.

So, all in all, $1,500?

Yeah, just short of $1,500 for everything.

So after you git those bills you and I filed the claims together for the two accident - injury insurance plans, and both of those insurance companies paid you back directly. Do you remember the total amount you received back?

Yeah, the checks came in a kind of series. I filled out the information packets and sent them off and I didn't know what to expect.

I only had to give a very, very brief explanation of what the injury was and of course provide some documentation of the card expenses. Then the checks started to come in and they came in over a period of about 8 to 12 weeks.

I don't recall any particular order. I had three checks for almost $250. I had one check for $930 bucks and I had another one for $700 and some change. There were also a couple of $50 checks too. So I think all in all, I came away with about $2,600 in just cash checks sent straight to me.

$1,500 in medical bills, but $2,600 in checks. So you came out a couple dollars ahead. The cost for those accident injury plans was just, one of them was about $50 bucks per month for both plans.

Would you say it was well worth your investment? And if so, did having those insurance companies give you more confidence that you'd be able to go and get care quicker because you knew you would be covered?

Well, initially I was concerned about any pushback it might have got because of the injury and because I got the injury in training, but I didn't receive any pushback whatsoever. And so I was pleasantly surprised when the check started coming through. And yeah, I mean, it's not life changing money, but 1500 bucks out my own pocket and the uncertainty of extra care, this jujitsu insurance really, really helped with my reimbursement.

I'd rather I've not been injured, but I actually came out a little bit on top financially and plan never to go into training or on the mats again without the insurance to be quite honest. $50 - $60 bucks a month, just to have that peace of mind, I think is a no-brainer for all combat facilities, regardless of your insurance.

Congratulations Scott on your road to recovery, and getting back on the mats. This is the great success story of how having the right insurance coverage gives grapplers in our community the resources and cash they need to get the care required to get themselves back on the mats quicker.

I think I'd like to add Chris, I don't think it matters what your main insurance policy is. These plans are add-ons. It's a supplemental medical plan, not really an alternative. So for me to know, I can cover some of my early bills in the unfortunate event I do get in an accident, at least I have some money coming back to me. I think it's money well spent. It's certainly something as a gym owner I encourage all my students to get.

I'm pretty passionate about sharing the word and getting this information out there to the grappling community. No one is more skeptical than me about insurance plans and the insurance companies themselves, not to mention knowing how poorly the American healthcare system is run. But as I said, I am very much an advocate for Jujitsuinsurance and going forward, I expect this just to be a monthly payment .

I'm happy that it all worked out for you. Thanks and congratulations.

Finding a more professional way to address injury in Brazilian jiu jitsu.

While Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most accident-prone martial arts, it is often overlooked as such. This issue was addressed on episode eight of the podcast "Bulletproof for BJJ”. During this episode, the hosts of the show, JT and Joey, tackle the issue of injuries in the field of Jiu-Jitsu and how these injuries are inappropriately handled. Keep in mind that the hosts are Jiu-Jitsu professionals and have seen these injuries first hand. One of the hosts even goes as far as expressing that, "nobody told him or warned him in the beginning that he was going to get a ton of injuries along the way." Of course, one knows they are signing themselves up for possible injuries, however, the regularity of the injuries is becoming a growing issue with little to no help from medical professionals in many cases.

During episode eight of the podcast Bulletproof for BJJ, the hosts announce that Jiu-Jitsu athletes often lack proper education when it comes to their injuries. According to these two professionals, there is also a rising absence of discussions with BJJ practioners when it comes to treating their injuries. BJJ athletes are typically not allotted the resources for such treatment.

The biggest issue is that these injuries are continuously swept under the rug; they are the unspoken variable in the sport. According to JT and Joey, generally speaking, these athletes find out the risk of injury after having sustained said injury. Then, on top of being bombarded with an unexpected injury, the athlete is required to find medical treatment or solutions on their own; this could include seeking out your own Physiotherapist or doctor. The issue there is, the athlete should not have to be responsible for seeking out their own treatment, not when other athletes have this luxury allotted to them with no issues.

During the podcast, both hosts reflected on their time within the BJJ field and both came to the consensus that they wished their coach would have said anything to them regarding the high risk of injury. They also agreed that coaches should have contacts for outreach when it comes to their player's injuries. JT went on to say, "A little bit of outreach, before the fact, would have helped deal with many of his injuries quicker." The unprofessionalism approach that the Jiu-Jitsu field is leaning on is the biggest issue. For example, the show's hosts say: "We have a very unprofessional way of approaching the way to treat Jiu-Jitsu injuries." When you compare Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to other professional sports, you see the difference is that other professions have a direct connection to someone ready and available to assist them with whatever injury is sustained, whereas Jiu-Jitsu athletes are being told by their coaches to "take it easy, but keep training."

Within the podcast, host JT addresses the fact that coaches simply tell their athletes who sustain injuries to "take it easy, but keep training." This is just telling the athlete to "shake it off." The hosts address these tactics as dangerous and the danger lies within the coaches not acknowledging injuries and maintaining a lack of depth and education about what the athlete's/student's limitations are.

During the podcast, they say that there needs to be a system created. JT says that this system needs to be created to where there is a "good mechanic" on duty, due to "rally driving." He said that whenever a player becomes injured, there need to be specialists and health professionals that you can turn to for advice. A great example of this is at The Academy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Northfield, IL where Dr. Muhibb Sadiq, DPT has his office set up right next to the jiu jitsu mats. This strategic setup provides The Academy’s students with greater accessibility to the knowledge provided by Dr. Sadiq and his associates at Element Performance & Physical Therapy and helps the students get back on the mat faster after injury.

Per JT, everyone needs a body mechanic. If you are practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it is advised that you find a knowledgeable resource for your injuries. JT himself had to locate a doctor who was able to manage his injury. JT is considered a lucky case, it took him a while but he was able to locate someone good for his recovery. He stated, "Once you find someone good at what they do, they are gold, and you need to hang onto them. For those of you who practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and have no medical assistance, there are online resources for you to access until you find someone fit for your needs.

Unfortunately we all don’t have access to training partners or friends who are physiotherapists, but there are a ton of resources on the web that you can access. Here is a list of online BJJ friendly resources for jiu-jitsu-related injuries that could help you out while on your journey:

The Jiu Jitsu Therapist

This is a US-based YouTube Channel, known as The Jiu-Jitsu Therapist. It is run by Eugene, a black belt, and the host of the ChewJitsu Podcast. This channel has over ten years of Jiu-Jitsu training and over ten years of experience in Physical Therapy. The goal of this channel is to provide you with high-quality information and content on BJJ training, health, and injury - keeping you on the mats! It is dedicated to injury prevention, rehab, physical therapy, jiu-jitsu, training, MMA, and grappling. This could be a great source for both training techniques and injury related techniques.

Andrzej Ostapko Physioberks

This is a UK-based YouTube Channel, known as Andrzej Ostapko Physioberks. It is run by Andrej Ostapko, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. This channel is dedicated to Physiotherapy for sports and the general public. There is a variety of treatment modalities that are useful to help you feel better and perform better. If you are looking for assistance, watching one of these videos can go a long way for you.

The Fight Physio Blog

This is more of a website for a string of brick-and-mortar doctors. There are three locations: 135C Newton Rd, Auckland; 11/627 Mt Wellington Hwy, Auckland 1062; 17 Kalmia St, Auckland 1051. This is a Physiotherapy clinic and Rehabilitation treatment center. This business is dedicated to providing top-quality treatment to acute injuries or pains! If you are not looking for a Physiotherapist in particular and just looking for tips and tricks to assist you, there are also blogs located on this website as well.

Joana Pires:
Physiotherapist

Women Who Fight is considered a empowering woman-run website, run by Physiotherapist and black belt, Joana Pires. The website consists of articles and podcasts related to physio-related injuries - as well as other issues women struggle with. Joana Pires is employed by a private practice based in London and treats musculoskeletal disorders which result from sport-related or work-related incidents.

The BJJ Physio

This website is home to BJJ Physio. They are known for helping Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes optimize their training. The business is ran and operated by Dr. Wesley Reed, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athlete. Meet with Dr. Wesley Reed via phone interview and receive your free consultation and customized program!

Please note that this list is compiled of just a few resources that are made readily available. There are plenty of other resources that you can stumble open with just a quick google search. If you are practicing the art of Jiu-Jitsu, please take it seriously and have a medical professional in your corner. Underestimating the risk of injury has led more than enough athletes to retirement.

Rogan grapples the unspoken opponent that forces fighters into submission, staph infections.

Fighters in Jiu-Jitsu gyms everywhere are being attacked, but not just by other fighters. Instead, there is a secret enemy that hides in the dark crevices of training spaces. It is invisible, swift, and often deadly. MMA super-fan and UFC Commentator Joe Rogan, Australian Jiu-Jitsu expert Craig Jones, and UFC Featherweight Champ, Alexander Volanoski shared some horror stories on the May 27, 2021 podcast episode of the Joe Rogan Experience. This particular MMA episode is worth a listen as these three MMA experts expose the hidden plague targeting fighters across the world: infections.

JRE MMA #110

Staph, MRSA, and Viral Pink Eye: Masters of the Take-Down.

Joe Rogan and this episode’s distinguished guests address the “elephant in the gym” that everyone is aware of, but no one wants to talk about: infections. While there is no arguing that things like Staph, MRSA, and Viral Pink Eye are bred and spread in fighting gyms around the world, it’s one of those things where everyone’s position seems to be, “if we don’t talk about it, it’s not there.”

Dealing with infections as they pertain to Jiu-Jitsu gyms is a problem that is multi-layered and complex, so it is no wonder that most fighters and gym owners are happy to sweep it under the rug and leave it there. But the fact of the matter is that these infections go beyond being a nuisance. Once they become a “member” of a gym, these infections tend to spread like wildfire. They can cause permanent damage to the infected body, and if left untreated, they can very well lead to death. But who is responsible for stopping the spread and ensuring that it doesn’t continue to be a constant problem?

“Antibiotics Wreck You” (128:52).

Jones opens the discussion about infections when he speaks of a fellow fighter who continued to compete while battling Staph. The fighter did not bother to take antibiotics for the issue, even after the infected abscess literally “exploded on an airplane” (127: 30). When asked why the fighter didn’t take antibiotics for the condition, Jones tells us the fighter, with a lack of concern for his well-being, said that it’s “just mindset...positive thinking,” not antibiotics, that will take care of the issue (128:08). A typical position of fighters, what is not being considered here is something Rogan brings to light.

Rogan says, “there’s a school of thought... should you take antibiotics or should you just compete with the Staph and take antibiotics afterward?” (128:35). Fighters put in such an enormous amount of energy into upcoming matches that they don’t want to let a “trivial thing” like Staph get in the way of all their hard work. Taking antibiotics can cause a physical reaction in the infected. Often, these drugs make them feel tired, sluggish, and sometimes worse than the infection itself. Rogan says, “antibiotics wreck you” (128:52). That is a valid reason in the mind of a competitor who must be at the physical peak of his/her game going into a match, leading to them often opt out of medical treatment.

But what Rogan points out is that “you’re putting your opponent at risk, which is a problem” (128:45). This is an issue that is not often thought of when a fighter makes the personal decision not to seek treatment for a bacterial or viral infection. They only consider how they will be affected, not their effect on others because of their decision. This is one reason why these infections can often put gyms and their members in a stranglehold. The lack of action on the fighter’s part to stop the infection is an open invitation for the illness to have a trial membership to a gym. Through a fighter choosing to grapple with their opponents rather than their medical issues, things like Staph, MRSA, and Viral Pink Eye can turn their trial into a platinum membership.

Jones proves this theory when he recounts the unbelievable tale of his time training in New York at The Renzo Gracie school. Speaking about it as if it was just a normal fact of life, he tells us he took antibiotics once a month for a week at a time for an entire year. The reason is that he caught an infection 12 times over the course of 12 consecutive months. That staggering admission should not be accepted as “normal” for anyone, especially those in a high-risk-for-injury industry. MMA fighters always expect physical assault from their human opponents, but they need to face the reality that they are under siege by invisible opponents every time they hit the mat.

Rogan goes on to point out the consequences of refusing medical treatment. He tells us about a friend’s wife who decided antibiotics were not the correct route for her in her battle against Staph, and as a direct result, she died. While she was not a competitive fighter, the risk for fighters remains the same. Though not in the forefront of anyone’s mind suffering from what starts as a minor skin infection, death can become a reality if the illness is not addressed quickly. The bottom line is this: fighters owe it to themselves and others they come in contact with to seek treatment for these infections and stay away from the gym until a medical professional says it’s ok for them to return.

There Should Be Signs Everywhere...But I Don’t Run the Gym” (136:35).

While fighters undoubtedly bear a particular responsibility for their part in stopping the spread of these infections, gyms need to do their part, as well. Proper sanitation of surfaces and equipment is essential to eradicate infections in their facilities.

Jones tells a terrifying story resulting in the fatality of a fighter who was only 18 years old. In an act that seemed harmless enough, this young man lost his contact lens during practice. He, without hesitation, simply picked the lens up off the mat and put it back in his eye. What he didn’t realize was, just that moment on the mat exposed his contact lens to Staph. Placing the lens back in without adequately sanitizing it introduced the infection into his eye, where it traveled directly to his brain. The result was death. That was a match he should not have lost because he should have never even been on the card.

Rogan points out that, in regards to infection, “A lot of gyms don’t tell young kids starting out what it is” (136:30). He is of the mindset that gyms should take the opportunity to educate new members before they actively begin training as to the different infections they are commonly exposed to as competitive fighters and what they can do to prevent the spread. Rogan goes on to talk about a friend who was exposed to Staph at a Jiu-Jitsu gym. When Rogan tells his friend he needs to go to the hospital because he undoubtedly has a Staph infection due to exposure at the gym, his friend is shocked to learn that infections were accepted as commonplace in that environment. The friend poignantly points out that “there should be signs everywhere,” warning people of the risk they run of becoming infected (136:35). Rogan agrees but says, “I don’t run the gym,” displaying the helplessness that the general public has in gyms regulating themselves for the safety of their members (136:35).

In addition to Staph, other common infections that fighting gym members are exposed to include MRSA, Staph’s meaner cousin, and Viral Pink Eye. Volanoski tells us about having MRSA, how the infection could have gotten into his bone, and how he has a permanent “hole” in his hand where his flesh was eaten away by the infection.

Jones discusses a case of Viral Pink Eye he fought for over half a year. The result of the match? Jones ultimately won, but it was not a no-contest fight. The Viral Pink Eye got in some good punches, as Jones has permanent damage in one eye because “conjunctivitis scarred [his] eye” (137:00).

Mason Fowler was infected with this super pink eye from Craig Jones in the 2019 ADCC event.

Why Are Antibiotics Not Always Enough

With the help of antibiotics, the average person can typically kill an infection like MRSA or Staph effectively. But fighters are not average. Because infections like MRSA and Staph attack a person’s immune system, fighters are often more susceptible to them and are less apt to end them effectively through antibiotics. Johns Hopkins, a leader in medical research, states, “patients who are immunocompromised have difficulty fighting the bacteria, which can become invasive and cause life-threatening infections.” It is a fact that fighters often fall into the category of those with a compromised immune system because their bodies are constantly on the verge of collapse due to the limits they push themselves to when training. The lack of sleep, extensive hours of pushing their bodies to their limits daily, and a lack of time for their bodies to properly recover will lessen their bodies’ ability to properly take on the opponents that face their immune system, thus making them more susceptible to infections such as MRSA and Staph. In addition, because they take antibiotics so often for these infections, it is more difficult for medication to fight the germs.

Until a New Fighting Stance is Taken, Infections Will Get the K-O.

Fighters condition their body not to feel pain like a “normal” person, so if they get an infection, it’s second nature for them just to decide to “fight through” the discomfort. They also give so much of themselves to their training that they don’t know or care that the infection can spread to others. Even Jones addresses this common stance of fighters when he tells us that he fought while infected with Staph. He simply says, “It was for ADDC” and shrugs it off (136:10). Because this particular event is considered like the “Olympics of BJJ,” Jones decided fighting while infected was worth the risk not only to him but to his opponents, as well. Jones’s typical attitude towards the issue furthers that fighters must change their opinions regarding competing while infected. Jones passed Staph on to two other competitors during that competition. Fighters cannot continue to adhere to this standard belief system for the spread of infection amongst themselves ever to become a thing of the past.

Since COVID became a global pandemic, it seems that gyms are now taking more precautions against the spread of illness among their members. Due to new health regulations, most gyms are using things like UV rays to sanitize equipment and surfaces like it sounds like Renzo is doing now in the “Blue Basement”. This is a practice that must continue for all members’ safety and prevent the spread of infections. It is just a sad commentary on the industry that it took a near-apocalyptic event for them to take action.

In Addition to Prevention, What else Can Fighters Do For Peace of Mind?

While most competitive fighters get their income from being in the cage or competition, they often believe that insurance is an expense that they simply cannot afford. The reality of the situation is that if they get an infection such as Staph or MRSA, the costs they will incur from medical expenses will outweigh the insurance cost so significantly that the two are not even in the same weight class. There are insurance policies available to them that just cover things like catastrophic illnesses, things like these infections that could be life-threatening, and those policies are affordable to virtually everyone. At JiuJitsuInsurance.com insurance is what we do and we can help you help find an insurance plan that does not break your bank and will help offer peace of mind to you and your family. Now, as you take the next steps to doing your part in stopping the spread of dangerous infections in your gym, take the next step and message us about picking up an insurance policy you can afford that aids your effort to battle the invisible threats that you face every day on the mats.

Banned by Danaher, 3 jiu jitsu training rules created to avoid injury.

Injuries are part of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but some practitioners argue that around 50% to 70% of the injuries in BJJ are entirely avoidable. John Danaher is one of those people who believe that although some injuries are not unavoidable, there are ways to reduce the risk of many injuries with proper knowledge and education about the application of training practices inside the gym.

Injury at a BJJ competition photo credit Giselle Villa.

According to Coach Danaher there are too many injuries that should have never happened in the first place, and often those injuries end up being the ones that are of the worst kind. Coach Danaher explains that he has observed over the years a few moves that cause 80% to 90% of catastrophic injuries and should be avoided during daily training.

Let’s take a quick look at these movements and explore why you should incorporate rules for them at your gym and educate your students to practice these movements with caution.

Jumping guard:

Let’s say that two athletes are standing in a position and the other one jumps guard. There is always a danger that if one athlete physically jumps onto the other, he is throwing his body weight onto their training partner in an uncontrolled fashion. If you perform this move in poor form, then that is dangerous for your partner.

The problem comes when both athletes are in a live situation. When the top player has one of their legs extended, the guard jumper will leap up. This will cause him to land on the bottom players front leg, hyper extending their knee joint. This can result in a serious knee injury or a broken leg.

This sort of injury makes a heel hook like a joke because these injuries are potentially career-ending. It is better to pull guard but not while you are jumping. If someone wants to pull guard, they must start from the floor, so it is 100% safe.

So, what we have learned from this is that the cause of a catastrophic injury in the sport of Jiu Jitsu is uncontrolled falling body weight. According to Danaher, this is the cause of 90% of the worst injuries in the sport.

Similarly flying submissions are also part of the problem. So, the general rule of thumb is no flying armbars or flying triangles.

Tani Otoshi

Tani Otoshi translates to “valley drop”. If someone executes this technique on you, it can feel like you have fallen down a valley. This move was originated from Judo and often you can see people trying to perform it on the mats. The throw involves positioning yourself behind your opponent and taking them straight back down.

This looks okay but if you do this clumsily the opponent is going to sit on your knee and break it. Even if you have a 95-pound woman, she can break a 230-pound man’s knee. It’s a noticeably big throw and extremely dangerous as this can easily injure your own leg or your partners. This has an unacceptably high rate of injury because typically you can get your leg underneath someone’s weight and that will destroy your own leg, or even theirs.

According to @AnthonyThrows host of the podcast “Tamami Talk” on YouTube, he says the recovery after surgery from a knee injury is long and painful. After a visiting black belt came into his Judo academy from another school and tried a “shitty Taniotoshi” that caused his injury a torn PCL, Anthony had one of the most painful injuries of his career. Anthony had heard about knee injuries from this move prior to his injury from other people but he said that he never realized how bad the injury for this move could be until it happened to him.

Injury from bad attempt at Tani Otoshi.

As I mentioned to him that I would be using his example in my blog about banned BJJ moves, Anthony even said that he is sure that “whoever is reading this blog will never fully understand how painful and devastating this injury is until it happens to them”.

Anthony went on to say that the first week after the surgery was the most painful because every time, he stood up he felt the knee fluids and blood going down his leg that felt like a car running over his leg. Anthony has since put up several clips on his Instagram profile showing proper, and improper, ways to attempt this throw.

The alternate to Tani Otoshi is the Kosote Gake where your knee is a hundred percent safe and highly effective. If you are in doubt and you are not sure what to do then just don’t do the move.

No Crashing or Slamming

If you see that there’s a lack of space in the area, be mindful. You must be respectful of others' space. If you are rolling with your training partner you can’t just go driving into other people. If a pair is practicing peacefully, try and avoid crashing into them. So, the general rule of thumb is do not invade into someone else’s space, explains Danaher.

Similarly, if you’re picking people up (off the ground) it is your responsibility to put them down safely. Often inconsiderate athletes would pick their training partners up and just smash them down on the mats. The bottom person has a higher chance of breaking their ribs, shoulder, or even could have a concussion. You are not supposed to drop people on their heads or their necks in Jiu Jitsu.

It’s important to train smart and not get carried away in Jiu Jitsu, of course, that is common sense. The tragic part is that people get injured by things that are completely avoidable. But that is all the reason we all might consider the advice of John Danaher as we explore safer ways of training in Jiu Jitsu. The first step into longevity and safety is to introduce house rules that protect everyone, which is what we call risk management.

Risk management is just as relevant in BJJ training as it is in managing one’s own wealth and managing one’s own health. So, as we consider developing safer training practices at our academies lets also consider encouraging teammates, coaches, and members of BJJ schools to explore new practices and programs that reduce & manage risk for everyone.

Find out more by clicking here >>

Jocko’s advice on how working professionals can avoid injuries when starting jiu jitsu.

In the JOCKOPODCAST 44, Jocko is asked the question about how to avoid injuries when training BJJ if you are someone who works with their hands or needs to use their body for their professional duties. If you are just getting into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for sport or hobby Jocko has some tips for you that might help you reduce your injuries.

BJJ training and injuries are going to go hand in hand if you stick to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu long enough, however not everyone can afford to get hurt or injured, explains Jocko.

Jocko goes on to explain that injuries are bound to happen in any sport or any line of work, but there are some types of professionals who need to be extra careful in training because they are the ones who need their bodies for their 9-5 jobs. This includes firefighters, cops, electricians, plumbers, construction workers, etc.

Jocko mentions how he had an 80% tear in his mcl that kept him off the mats and even though leading up to that injury he had been heal hooked by his training partner Dean Lister thousands of times it was during a day of surfing when he tore his mcl, so he prefaces his answer with “you can get hurt doing anything”. As Jiu Jitsu practitioners there is no doubt that we are certainly at a higher risk of injury then people who don’t practice our martial art.

After all that is the main reason that we started JiuJitsuInsurance.com to educate grapplers young and old about the benefits of insuring themselves with low-cost supplemental accident and injury policies that only cost around $20 per month.

If you are just getting into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for sport or hobby, Jocko has some tips for you that might help you reduce your injuries.

So, quick financial tip before you take in Jacko’s advice on reducing injury.

Here it is; because injuries are bound to happen consider getting yourself a quote for one of our insurance policies that help you cover your medical bills (regardless of any other insurance coverage) for your injuries on, or off the mats.

Here are some of Jocko’s tips to reduce injuries when you’re starting in Jiu-Jitsu.

Pick the right training partner.

It is common sense, to avoid any injury, avoid “That Guy”. There’s always one at every gym. He is famous for hurting his partners and cranking submissions. This is often the case for beginners who are jacked up on testosterone. Pair that with a sensitive ego and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. You can always politely decline their offer to roll, there is no shame in it. To grow, you must enjoy the process, not resent yourself for not saying no.

What you can do is roll with the experienced guys. The chances of you getting hurt by a brown or purple belt are extremely low as compared to you rolling with a white belt. Why? Because experienced guys are far more accurate in executing their techniques.

Don’t neglect your warm-up!

Warming up is crucial to get your body going. Breaking a sweat before rolling is necessary to avoid injuries. A cold body makes your muscles tight, and tight muscles are more prone to injury. Make sure you participate in the warm-up drills before each class. Another fun way to warm up is to go one round with your training partner at a light pace. Stretch and get your body going in a rhythm. The more flexible you are, the better. Being tight and constricted is not good for your body, this is something that is always neglected.

Tape your fingers.

If you are someone who uses their fingers for work, then you should tape them. The tape will be your best friend to avoid injuries. Especially if you are a guitarist, a writer, a coder, a programmer, or a painter, you’ll need to protect your fingers. Finger injuries are more common in Gi. So, if you can, try and roll more in No-Gi. Training BJJ will make your fingers stronger. So, despite the risk of getting your pinky broken, you will get a strong iron-like grip if you are careful in the game.

If you need help learning how to tape your fingers for BJJ then checkout this tutorial we created for you. Click Here >>>

Be careful in standup.

Some people are more susceptible to get hurt in wrestling or standup. Compared to rolling from the ground, standup can be more difficult. Especially if you’re not physically adapted to explosive takedowns and throws, it’s going to be hard on your knees and ankles. You are more likely to get an MCL tear or have an ankle pop during standup. Now, like everything else, that does not mean you do not train in standup. For someone who is in the military, in the police, or security, they need to know how to perform takedowns, throws, and tackles.

It’s okay to say ‘no’.

Some people are more likely than others to give you injuries. That does not make them bad people, a lot of beginners just do not understand Jiu-Jitsu in depth. Every black belt was once in those shoes. To avoid hurting anyone’s ego, you can use a simple white lie to avoid rolling with them. Some of Jocko’s recommended lines are:

“I only roll with guys under 140 lbs.” or “I’m sorry, I’m with Billy over there.”

Look, a little white lie won’t hurt anybody. You don’t have to ruin the vibe by rejecting someone’s offer to dance, just be nice with it. Remember, disarming is better than confronting people.

Conclusion

Always gauge your strengths and weaknesses. If you want to train and become a competitive athlete, you won’t be able to avoid injuries all the time. You can’t avoid people all the time either. Sometimes a strong white belt can teach you a lot about the game. Rolling with the same guys will make your routine redundant so try and break the cycle occasionally.

Guys who are in their 30’s or 40’s need to strive for longevity and life beyond the mats. You must think about your family. Finally, do yourself a favor and get a Jiu-Jitsu insurance plan that can cover the high cost of your medical bills or any time needed off work. A small amount of $25 or so is worth the mental satisfaction and pays benefits all the time for active grapplers because the policies do not have exclusions for grappling (unless you fight for money).

Aaron Benzrihem had a painful journey to BJJ black belt, but he never quit jiu jitsu.

Introduction

Injuries are a part of every sport. Especially in combat sports, any type of injury can have a debilitating effect on the athlete. Injuries are unavoidable, no matter how careful you are, if something is bound to happen, it will. That said, it does not mean the athlete should be reckless with his body. All athletes should strive for longevity and find smarter ways to train.

Today we are going to talk about Aaron Benzrihem, a black belt BJJ athlete under Bernardo Faria. He was the first black belt that Bernardo Faria ranked at a young age of only 27. Aaron is a multiple-time IBJJF medalist and has competed and won in several BJJ tournaments. He Is not only a BJJ Black Belt but an Instructor at Bernardo Farias academy, a YouTuber, and an ambitious entrepreneur with multiple businesses. A jack of all trades.

Aaron’s Journey

In the Forever White Belt podcast by Adolfo Foronda, Aaron shares his 11-year journey towards becoming a black belt. The podcast begins with Aaron discussing his initial days of training BJJ.

Image from the video - Catch Upper Belts With This FOOT LOCK click here to view>>

Throughout the podcast, Aaron and Adolfo discuss the physical toll that an athlete’s body takes while training BJJ. From the outsider’s perspective, BJJ seems like a harmless sport but only the practitioners truly understand what it takes to train and reach a high skill level in this sport. For Aaron, the path to becoming a black belt was full of injuries and hardships. Like every hot-headed young guy, he also used to push through the pain and ignore what his body was trying to tell him. In his initial days, Aaron explained how he would roll with the bigger guys, just because of his pride. That’s relatable to every man, we’ve all been there. But being a featherweight at 140 pounds and rolling with guys that are 40 pounds heavier than you is grueling. Being smothered underneath a bigger opponent is not a pleasant feeling. The only way to win against a bigger guy is to be more technical, more skilled, and more agile.

“I’m just consistently trying to utilize the strength that I have which is speed, timing, technique”, says Benzrihem.

“Injuries are par for the course, but I’ll take em”. Aaron Benzrihem has had his share of injuries on the road to Jiu Jitsu Blackbelt.

Training with opponents bigger than you is a huge problem for lighter athletes. During his days at brown belt, Aaron competed in an open weight BJJ tournament and suffered a lot of injuries competing with bigger opponents. Initially, he won against three opponents and reached the finals. He faced an opponent who was weighing in at 220 pounds and he popped Aaron’s MCL causing a type 2 tear. That injury put him on his back for almost 8 weeks. Aaron took his time to recover from that injury and started training for the Boston open. Unluckily he popped his foot three different times before actually competing in the Boston open.

With a broken foot and a partially working knee, he still managed to reach the finals in the Boston open. He fought with Edwin “Junny” Ocasio who put a foot lock on him and broke it again. Aaron’s foot was completely destroyed at this point and he had to take a long time off after that.

With a plethora of injuries dogging him down, Aaron thought about quitting. It was a discouraging chapter in his career which made him reevaluate his choices.

“Maybe I’m not cut out for this, maybe I’m just a hobbyist, maybe I don’t want to do this as hard as I think I do” he said.

This is something that has crossed every guy’s mind who is at a high level of any sport. To push through this exact feeling is something that separates the champions and the quitters.

“Even if it’s your hardest belt or your easiest, on your bad days just keep pushing through” he said.

That is the message Aaron is giving to everybody out there, just keep pushing through. Make baby steps, as long as you’re not stagnant, it is all good. Little progress is always better than no progress. Even if you have to go out and watch other people train, just do it.

Every time you doubt yourself and your ability, remind yourself what it took to get there. This mentality led Aaron to rediscover his passion for BJJ. “Injuries are par for the course but I’ll take ‘em”, he mentions. The journey does not end here, Aaron explains how he had more than just a broken foot and a torn MCL. In his days being a purple belt, Aaron got his nose broken too. This led to a severely deviated septum which further led to chronic sinusitis and chronic chest congestion. On the doctor’s advice, he got an x-ray done which showed that his cartilage was broken completely.

He kept procrastinating in getting surgery until he became a brown belt. At that point, the condition was so bad that he had no choice but to get surgery. This surely taught him an invaluable lesson to take care of himself and to not ignore the messages that his body is giving. The journey was full of ups and downs with discouraging and painful moments. Even as COVID-19 hit the world and gyms all over the country were closed Aaron still managed to get his black belt. The credit for this determination and perseverance would go to the sport of BJJ. It not only gives you the self-esteem and self-respect to push through but the mental toughness to endure pain as well.

Injuries and Recovery

Going deep, Aaron and Adolfo discuss how lighter guys are more prone to injury rolling with bigger guys. If a heavyweight is in the mount, it takes a toll on the lighter athlete’s body. “Jiu-Jitsu is unique in the sense that you’re going to consistently try to put up weight that you have no business attempting”, says Aaron. It also goes to show that if you have the knowledge and the skill, you will be able to handle a bigger opponent, that is the essence of Jiu-Jitsu. Although, body type and weight matter, that is why we have weight classes in every tournament. It’s just physics, the bigger and stronger guy is going to have the advantage of strength.


This makes a lot of athletes vulnerable to injuries. In a 2018 study at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Researchers took a test group of 108 BJJ athletes. Both novice and advanced athletes were tested for injuries and the statistics showed that 66.1% of advanced level athletes would get injuries in a competition. The statistics also showed that during training 54.5% of novice athletes would get major and minor injuries.

This includes MCL sprains, MCL tears, dislocated fingers, dislocated elbows, hip contusion, turf toe, fractures, and whatnot. A lot of times injuries like these can be avoidable if only fighters’ egos are kept in check. Sparring is all about learning, not dominating your partner. Aaron has had a long-term nagging injury which he caught at the age of 15. His lower back was injured and that developed into sciatica pain. The disc bulge in his lower spine caused sciatica and he did not opt for surgery to fix it. He uses basic yoga and stretching to help with the inflammation. But if he does not do the basics and follow the regimen, he will have crippling flare-ups which will cause him to take two or three days off. Not being able to walk for two-three days at this age is not healthy, don’t you agree?

Other than these injuries Aaron also suffers from a partial UCL tear on his elbow and two partial tears on his MCL. That MCL tear caused him to take a total of 12 weeks off from training. The most debilitating injury that Aaron suffered was the broken nose that caused the deviated septum which exacerbated his internal problems with infections, sinuses, and congestion.

The most debilitating injury that Aaron suffered was the broken nose that caused the deviated septum which exacerbated his internal problems with infections, sinuses, and congestion.

Conclusion - from an Jiu Jitsu insurance agency point of view:

If only Aaron knew about our Jiu-Jitsu insurance plans when he started his Jiu Jiitsu journey it would’ve saved him a lot of money on the costs of his medical treatments and recovery treatments. If BJJ injuries are really par for the course then picking up a $25 insurance policy to cover those bills seems like something all practitioners should consider if they train BJJ. Having a policy might not have changed the pain Aaron endured on his way to the top but maybe he would of got treated quicker? Normal health insurance does not always cover all the costs from accidental injuries which leaves the athlete with bill(s) to pay. However if an athlete buys a Jiu-Jitsu insurance policy (or two policies), the insurance company will pay benefits directly to you which “lightens the blow” financially while you recover from your injury.

“Jiu-Jitsu is unique in the sense that you’re going to consistently try to put up weight that you have no business attempting”, says Aaron.

A Jiu Jitsu insurance plan only costs about $25 per month. Athletes and coaches can even buy multiple insurance plans because they know for sure that these programs will pay out eventually. At the end of the day, an injury is inevitable, just like in Aaron’s journey, if he had a BJJ insurance plan before his competitions and during training, he would be able to immediately cover the cost of his surgeries and medical checkups. These things cost a lot of time and money, so it's better to go full out on your training with the ease of mind that your body, your gym, and your medical bills will be taken care while you are hurt.

To find out more about Aaron here are a few references:

You can pick up The Half Butterfly Guard by Aaron Benzrihem instructional by clicking here >>>. 
You can also check out his YouTube Channel by clicking here >>>.

BJJ tape tips for treating an injured finger quickly.

Sometimes training can lead to injuries. While injuries are never fun, if you handle them properly, they can be much easier to deal with. There is a lot of grabbing in BJJ and because of that there is a lot of strain put on the fingers. If you do injure your fingers here are some quick tips.

First, if you can, rest. Taking a bit of time off the mat or avoiding using your injured finger will give it time to heal. Combining that with using ice and it will help speed up the process. Rest as much as you can so it can heal faster.

Another great way to deal with an injured finger is by rolling in no-gi. There is a lot less strain on your fingers when you train no-gi. This could be a great option to give your finger a bit of rest.

Once you have rested or are ready to begin using your finger again, taping definitely helps. It will help keep the joints from further injury. You can tape your fingers like how I described above, and I also have some more tips below. There are plenty of ways to tape and it depends on what you are looking for. Make sure to do your research and tape appropriately.

How to Tape a Torn Ligament in the Finger

Competing in jiu-jitsu is a great goal to have and a great way to test what you have learned. Whether you’re a white belt or a black belt, going head-to-head with someone in a competition is a great way to grow your jiu-jitsu skills. No practice roll will ever give you the experience of going against someone who is trying to win just as badly as you are!

As you can see in this video here, Eugene Tsozik of the ChewJitsu Podcast was in the process of loop choking his opponent when things did not go quite as planned. Even though he got the win, he tore the ligament in his middle finger. While he was completing the loop choke both him and his opponent heard it tearing. You can see him bending over in pain as he stood up to accept his victory!

While the win was worth it, Eugene knew something wasn’t quite right with his finger. In order to continue with his next match he had to tape his finger. It’s pretty simple to do.

First, start with a strip around the finger and anchor that to the tape. Next, go across the side of the finger to the joint with the tape. After that, make an x at the side of the knuckle. Then, repeat on the other side of the knuckle -- repeat as needed for additional stability. Once you’re done, make sure the finger can bend comfortably for mobility. You can also do buddy taping, or taping one finger to another will add additional support.

Stability Finger Taping for BJJ

If you do BJJ long enough you’re going to have to eventually tape your fingers. All the grabbing and holding starts to add up so most likely you’ll eventually have to deal with some hand injuries. Taping will help mitigate those injuries and keep you rolling on the mats. Your joints and tendons will be getting extra support allowing your fingers to heal and to mitigate any further injury.

Taping for stability is especially important. While there are plenty of ways to tape out there, Eugene is going to show you one of the ways that he likes to do it. While he could do just the top joint, Eugene prefers to stabilize the whole finger. Supporting the whole finger will be especially beneficial because the tendons run up and down the whole finger, not just part of it.

First, start by making a loop at the base of the finger as an anchor. Then, he likes to go across the joint to add some stability. Then, Eugene loops over the top of the joint one way and go back down and cross over. You’ll want to alternate back and forth crossing at the joint on both sides of your finger. You want to make sure that you’re taping pretty light as you’ll still want to be able to bend your finger and not cut off the circulation. As you loop around and cross back and forth between the bottom and top of the joint it should create an X on the side of your finger. Keep doing this until you feel a good amount of stability for the joint.

After you have a good amount of stability on the bottom joint you’ll want to move onto the top one. Keep going across and looping in a similar manner as you did with the bottom joint. There should also be an X shape over your top joint, just like the bottom one. Keep repeating this as many times as you feel is necessary in order to get a good amount of stability in that top joint.

You can also go right over the top joint and not just around it in order to limit the chances of hit hyper-extending. There are many ways to tape. For example, you can tape for limiting extension, for limiting the straightening, for limiting the bending, and others.

So what he did here specifically was he left more mobility for the bottom joint of his finger and taped the top joint for more stability. It’s also a good idea to open and close your hand a few times just to make sure that it feels good with some movement. You want to be able to bend your finger, but not too much. The tape has to allow for mobility but maintain stability.

As you warm up the tape will start to loosen up a bit to add some more mobility. If, otherwise, you feel that your circulation is cut off and the tape is too tight don’t be afraid to take it off and re-tape it. You want to make sure that you have the right amount of tightness. At the end of the day, it’s really about what feels best for you. Also, if you do have an injury make sure to get it checked out by a doctor and limit your gripping.

How to Tape an Injured Thumb for BJJ

Another common injury in BJJ is your thumb. You can use taping to help with support, stability and pain relief. Here’s an example of how to do that with a video of Eugene and Chad who injured his thumb rolling.

The first thing Eugene does is start with an anchor around the wrist and thumb. Next, apply small strips from the wrist to the thumb in order to provide some extra stability. Once that’s done, use full width tape to add an extra layer of support. Add as much tape as you think is necessary to properly support your thumb. Lastly, tape a strip around the thumb and wrists to keep the tape in place while training. It’s important to make sure that the tape is snug as it will stretch as you train and it warms up. But, also make sure it’s not too tight to impair your mobility and circulation.

Hope you enjoyed these taping tips and happy rolling!

Is training BJJ without health insurance a bad idea?

We do not think you should stop training jiu jitsu just because you don’t have health insurance. Instead this article provides tips to treating injuries and covers ways for you to pay those bills without traditional health insurance. Read more >>>

5 Ways To Progress In BJJ When You're Injured.

When you're injured one of the most frustrating things is that you can't train full-time and in full capacity like you normally do. So how do you keep from losing your mojo?

Sure, you can't roll like usual, depending on the severity of your injury, but there are a lot of things you can do to keep your mind and body activated while you recover. Better to recover fast and get back to peak performance than be nursing a recurring injury that is keeping you off your game.

Matt Viega host of The Sports Trolls Podcast had to take some time off to heal his ACL injury.

1. Study BJJ Technique

Keep your brain on Jiu-Jitsu! Study the positions you know and keep those memories fresh.

BJJ YouTube is a goldmine. Watch Danaher, Chewy, Gracie Breakdown, and others. Hell, even get in the gym and watch people roll. You can learn a lot that way.

Visualize positions. Professional athletes use visualization as a powerful tool to achieve results. You can visualize yourself winning to get pumped up, but you can also visualize very specific techniques and movements. While it's obviously no substitute for the real thing, for those who master this skill, it could be the thing that keeps your muscle memory alive while you can't train on the mat.

Sometimes these little breaks in our training regimen are actually good for improvement because we get a chance to really breathe and think deeply about the techniques, why and how they work, and where our blind spots are.

2. Develop a Solid Game Plan for Your Comeback

Don't try to get back in the game by doing random techniques. Studying YouTube videos is great, but doing a different position and practicing in different ways will just leave you scatterbrained and recovering slowly.

Listen to your body and figure out where this injury has hurt you the most. I don't mean in your big toe, I mean has it crushed your ability to practice passing closed guard? Work on that first. Train your weak spots methodically to get back to the level you want.

Review the motions in your head until you can do them again, and drill the basics. This will get your techniques crisp and will really help with your motivation. Get some quick wins by revisiting techniques you haven't been able to do in a while.

Caveat: If these are the positions that put a lot of pressure on your injury and you're not fully healed, be aware of the potential to make things worse. Always tell your rolling partner about existing or healing injuries.

3. Train with Weights and Use Modified Exercises

So many BJJ practitioners neglect weight training for one reason or another, and if that's you, this is the time to pick it back up.

If you always weight train, good for you. Time to hit the weights a bit harder.

With less time rolling, you might find a lot of pent-up energy and you need to get that out somehow. You might be feeling frustrated or irritated! Take note that that can be dealt with through extra exercise.

There are some great resources out there for weight training programs specifically designed for Jiu-Jitsu. One of the great resources is Joe Clark at averagejoestrength.com/category/bjj/ and of course, you can go down an endless rabbit hole of other YouTube videos.

If you're lucky enough to afford a strength coach or trainer at your local gym, ask them to advise you on how to get the most out of your strength training while helping you have a speedy recovery.

Maybe you can't do your favorite lifts because of your injury. Modify, modify, modify! There is almost always another variation of each lift or movement that you can still do. For a finger injury, modifying your grip or using a lifting strap, or for a leg injury do lifts from seated instead of standing.

Don't forget flexibility! You don't want to get back on the mat stiff as a board because all you've been doing in your off-time is lifting heavy.

Weight training for BJJ is a great way to bridge the gap until your comeback and keep your body active all the while.

4. Work Around the Injury (But Use Protective Gear!)

Maybe you feel like a nerd wearing wrestling shoes to protect your toes, or wrapping your hand up like a mummy, but if that's what you need to do to train other positions, go for it.

Don't put pressure on your injury! If you have a hand injury, keep the hand in your gi and work without it. The protection is only there as a backup -- it doesn't mean you can go full steam ahead.

At first, you will feel so incapable, it might be frustrating. But stick with it and maybe soon you'll be feeling like a ninja, taking down adversaries with one hand tied behind your back!

You'll realize how dependent you are on using both arms or both legs. Imagine what an advantage it could be if you could do techniques with one side and leave the other side free to maneuver, while your opponent is scrambling to guard you with all four limbs.

After you heal, be sure to practice the same way with your previously injured side. It's always important to balance both sides, and you can really increase your skills this way too.

5. Use Physical Therapy to Help you Recover

To help ensure the fastest recovery possible, do everything you can to get your injury feeling better. There are many resources and facilities that can help you directly treat the injury. Every injury is different, so there's too much to cover here. That would be another article for another time.

The Jiu-Jitsu Therapist Youtube channel is a great place to get PT tips for BJJ injury treatment and prevention.

Generally, remember RICE: Rest, ice, compression, elevation. Aim to reduce swelling and inflammation. Keep the joint stable, and when you're feeling better, work on the movements slowly and carefully.

I always recommend working with a professional physical therapist whenever possible. If it's not possible, check out https://thereadystate.com/ and Kelly Starrett's videos for your particular injury.

The Waiting Game

Remember that getting injured is normal! Don't get discouraged. If you never got injured training BJJ, chances are you weren't pushing yourself very hard at all. Not to say you should try to get injured, but just keep in mind that injuries are part of the game for any serious athlete.

While you're recovering from a BJJ injury, it's important to keep your head in the game and keep your body active. Motivation is really important here, to look forward to getting back full time, develop a plan and work it as well as you can.

Such a technical sport lends itself nicely to studying the subtle details of masters on video, and small improvements can make a big difference. Thinking about BJJ and visualizing techniques will keep your mind sharp.

At the same time, train for strength and flexibility. Every injury is different, so it depends on what you're dealing with, but be sure to get the extra energy out and find ways to increase your strength in areas that you've been neglecting.

When you come back, you're going to be more motivated than ever, working extra hard to advance and you'll see that increased motivation sometimes has huge benefits.

In the meantime, it might not be a bad idea to pick up an insurance program for only a few bucks per month that will help you financially with your BJJ injuries and cover the upfront costs of treatment while you plan your comeback.

Using The Flavio Almeida Mindset When Injured in BJJ.

Everyone gets used to facing difficulties in life, but we don’t all cope with them the same way. Difficulties can add up and really pin you down in life, burdening you over time. If a problem is intense, you sometimes might even need to convince yourself to do what you don’t want to do in order to grow. Flavio Almeida knows a thing or two about that. Almeida has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is a professional champion and teacher of this martial art. Brazillian jiu-jitsu is a high-energy sport focused on timing, leverage, and pressure, so Almeida has physically and mentally developed his sense of risk-reward. He had the benefit of great mentors, but what carried him all the way was his steadfast will. His take on success is that we should not only face our challenges but look forward to them. This is possible through perseverance and commitment as foundational values. Anyone, martial artist or not, can accomplish great things with this mindset.

Photo Credit - Gracie Barra North Phoenix, AZ.

If you do have an interest in martial arts, Flavio Almeida is a name you’ll want to know. He got his start fighting during the early 1990s in Brazil, first with karate, then jiu-jitsu. Within the decade, Almeida became one of Brazil’s great jiu-jitsu up-and-comers. It sounds sensational, but that good fortune was born of Almedia’s can-do attitude. This is best demonstrated by a 2018 injury he has discussed. It happened in Houston during a big jiu-jitsu tournament, fighting with a team for the Gracie Barra martial arts organization. In the midst of a fight with a heavier opponent, Almeida’s foot caved in. He did win the fight and score points for his team, but he was afflicted with foot pain. Rather than drop out, he continued to fight and helped Gracie Barra win the tournament. Having successfully tested his skills, Almeida recovered from the injury after a period of walking with crutches. Powering through the pain and putting the team’s success before his comfort brought out the best in him. It goes to show that hitting a roadblock should lead to using your discretion, instead of reflexively giving up.

Almeida fought to push his limits since competition isn’t just about winning or losing. Without pushing yourself you won’t have a sense of your own skill, so you can’t set goals that help you grow. To Almeida an injury is a challenge, and each one is an opportunity to become a better version of yourself. If you’re just in a complacent routine, you deny yourself the spice of life. He also cautions that setbacks have psychological effects which easily impede goals. When you get hurt it’s easy to say that turning back makes a lot of sense. Pressing onward might seem miserable, but hypotheticals like that are a trap. Instead of making an educated guess about further risks, you put yourself down outright. With enough negative self-talk, you will kill your aspirations. Life is ultimately about growing and changing, and the trials we face are stepping stones on the journey. It’s clear that perseverance and commitment are values that protect us from becoming our own worst enemies.

Almeida’s words are not a load of hot air: research suggests that it’s beneficial to overcome obstacles. When things don’t go your way, it makes you confront who you are, what matters to you, and what you want your life to be about. That’s because you can’t afford to be weighed down when the going gets tough. Psychologists find that it’s better to think of yourself as a protagonist, not a victim. Emerging victorious and relieved allows greater altruism, a deeper sense of purpose, and more appreciation for life and loved ones. Don’t bite off more than you can chew, as problems can be resolved incrementally, especially if you develop a coping strategy. Almeida’s strategy is to see challenges as chances to test his mettle. If you want to improve in martial arts, enter a fight you aren’t sure you’ll win. That’s the nature of challenge: it’s better to pursue goals that might hurt, rather than being safe and not surprising yourself. Steel yourself and push forward, because if you test your limits, you can then judge which adventures are worth going on.

Managing pain and gain can come down to what you want out of life. Do you really want to get used to making excuses? Slacking off can reduce your interest in what you care about. You may find yourself caught in a cycle of giving up again and again. If you want to be injury-free, sit on the couch and watch Netflix. It’s better to brave your nerves and take leaps of faith. Competing while injured forced Almedia to think more carefully, making him a better fighter. Whether you win or lose, being under pressure helps you pick up new skills and create great memories. Almeida says that martial artists need to have a vision for themselves, and it’s true that we can all benefit from some sort of plan. That way, hang-ups and hurdles are mere episodes on the way to what we want. Being a martial artist isn’t easy, and everyone should learn from its demand of consistent tenacity. Dare yourself to dream, see how far you can get, and always pick yourself back up. You owe it to yourself to be a well-oiled machine, as that will improve the lives of others. After all, a quitter can’t lead by example.

Who are you? It’s a question you can struggle with your whole life. Discovering yourself is no small feat, so hit the ground running. In a world where we’re so inundated with distractions, being sedentary can appear normal. Adversity is out there, ready to make you lose sight of your goals, so stay crafty. You won’t be unscathed, as you face things you can’t prepare for, but that’s the nature of the beast. It’s said that an unexamined life is not worth living, and the same goes for an unchallenging life. Build yourself up instead if putting yourself down, and seek companions to keep you balanced. To remain fit is to nurture body and mind, to appreciate your wins and your losses. Your problems aren’t actually barriers, they’re just rougher paths. For Flavio Almeida, that’s what it is to live life fully. In the words of Friedrich Nietzsche: “What does not kill me makes me stronger”.

5 Reasons To Get A Personal Injury Insurance Policy If You Train BJJ.

For those of us spending our lives on the mats, many will get injured doing what we love. Most of the time that injury requires medical treatment of some sort.

I have been training Jiu Jitsu since 2008 and have been injured several times. Although I was always covered by a major medical health insurance policy, it didn’t seem to matter— my medical bills just kept piling up. Let’s be honest— Jiu Jitsu is a rough sport, and if you practice consistently you are going to hurt. Or should I say, “if you practice consistently you are always going to be injured?” Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Gentle Art my ass!

HAHAA.

By no means am discouraging anyone from taking up Jiu Jitsu for fear of injury! However, what I am saying is this: If you practice Jiu Jitsu, you need to take care of your body. The unfortunate reality is that a lot of BJJ practitioners neglect their injuries for fear of drowning in unanticipated medical debt. This problem could be easily addressed with education and knowledge on getting proper medical treatment in addition to having the right insurance protection that will pay for that medical treatment.

In an effort to shed some light on the subject, you will find below a list of reasons to considering enrolling in one of these supplemental injury plans even (we call it Jiu Jitsu Insurance) if you have an existing health insurance policy.

BJJ tip from “The Crippler".

Why Get A Personal Jiu Jitsu Insurance Policy?

You might say, “I have a major medical health insurance already, so why would I need to buy an additional insurance plan for my injuries?” Here are some of the reasons someone who already has a health insurance plan might consider adding an accident - injury insurance policy to their protection:

Reason #1: You may be on the hook for thousands of dollars with your major medical plan.

If you look at the way most major medical policies are designed, it’s easy to see in the “summary of benefits” that the consumer is on the hook for most upfront medical expenses as a result from any injury. For example, if you look at your own summary of benefits for your health insurance plan, you will see items listed in rows such as emergency room visits, hospital stays, urgent care visits, and medical imaging. Next to each row is a corresponding column labeled either “deductible” or “co-insurance.”

Deductible and coinsurance percentages show the patient’s responsibility to pay before the health insurance company pays for any expenses. The average deductible in the United States is about $2,500 per person and the average out-of-pocket average is around $5000. For this example, let’s say your plan is like the average I just mentioned. That means if you sustain an injury and seek medical treatment, you have to pay the first $2,500 for your services before the insurance company pays anything.

However, unlike traditional health insurance, Jiu Jitsu insurance plans (aka injury plans) will pay you directly when you seek treatment for an injury or accident. That way you're not stuck paying the entire bill from the treatment provider. Whether or not you have health insurance coverage, these plans will pay you and you can do whatever you want with the tax-free check.

Reason #2: Jiu Jitsu coverage polices allow you to see anyone.

When you’re injured, there’s no time to waste searching for a reliable doctor who is considered “in-network.”

Most traditional health insurance policies will have restricted networks that you must go to for medical care, otherwise your medical services may not covered. On the contrary, a jiu jitsu insurance plan will give you the flexibility to see any licensed Doctor, anytime you need medical care.

Jiu Jitsu Insurance plans don’t work like traditional health insurance plans in the sense that you don’t need to show an ID card at the time or service. Instead, you will submit a claim after service and the insurance company will send a check made payable to you, which you can use to pay your medical bills or pocket the tax-free check if you have another insurance plan pays for you bills.

These insurance plans will make out a tax-free check payable to you so that you never need to worry about network restrictions and the possible penalties for going to an out-of-network provider. This will save you time and money.

Reason #3: Your current health insurance policy may not cover the unique, injury-specific treatment you need.

There is a high probability of sustaining an injury while practicing jiu jitsu. Higher than any other recreation sport or martial art due to the amount of time spent practicing as well as competing.

A recently conducted medical study addresses the prevalence of injuries during BJJ training. The study reads that prevalence of injuries in training is significant because athletes spend more time in training than in competition.The study also proves that the average BJJ athlete participates in BJJ training approximately four days per week but only competes twice per year.

Some say, “It’s rare to earn a blue belt without a couple of injuries along that way,” and I totally agree with that statement, which is why I believe a jiu jitsu insurance plan is invaluable to any BJJ practitioner.

Credit for photo by Joshua Dover. Joshua Dover pictured here at Scramble BJJ & Wrestling in Rome, GA after training.

Many Jiu Jitsu athletes look beyond traditional medical treatments for healing their injuries. Some of these alternative therapies include acupuncture, cryotherapy, red/blue light therapy, ice baths, and massage. Most of the time these treatments are not covered by health insurance. As BJJ practitioners, we are all aware of these treatments that will get us back on the mat faster, but without coverage the cost can really add up. However, since with a fixed expense injury plan you will be sent a check directly, you can use that money to pay for the cost of these services not covered by traditional health insurance.

As a matter of fact, see reason #4 below as to why you might even consider purchasing two or three of these programs from different insurance providers!

Reason #4: When you double-down on an injury plan you get double the benefits.

With traditional health insurance you might think, “Why not just get two medical insurance plans, so that they can each work to cover what the other will not?” While it’s a nice thought, that’s unfortunately, that’s not the way it works out.

Most major medical policies coordinate with each other to determine who should be the “primary payer” and who will be the “secondary payer.” Simply put— they are going to fight over who is going to pay the bills and only one of them is going to cover your costs.

On the other hand, with the accident-injury policies, it is not uncommon for people to purchase multiple supplemental plans if they are active and can foresee that injuries are going to happen.

Jiu Jitsu insurance plans are going to pay you directly no matter what kind of insurance you currently have. It’s common for active BJJ athletes to purchase multiple of these insurance plans because they know that the policy is going to pay them out directly. A jiu jitsu practitioner is much more likely to file a claim than the average insurance customer enrolled into these programs. But don’t worry! The insurance companies don’t discriminate against BJJ practitioners! You will pay the exact same monthly fee to be enrolled in these programs as the other people enrolled in these plans.

Some jiu jitsu coaches purchase multiple policies and use the funds they receive from the insurance companies to pay other coaches to run their classes while they recover. That’s a great example of how having multiple injury polices that pay you directly when injured could be use as a hybrid “short-term disability” policy. Although these programs are not meant to be considered short term disability, the proceeds that you receive from the insurance could be used to make up any unanticipated lost wages while treating your injury.

At the end of the day, nobody wants to get injured or hurt, but if you practice jiu jitsu, it’s nearly inevitable. Treatment of injuries costs not only money, but time as well. Having multiple accident-injury policies may save you tremendously on both during your recovery period.

Reason #5: Jiu Jitsu plans provide extra financial protection that heath insurance won't provide.

Traditional health insurance plan don’t provide benefits payable to your beneficiaries, as if you were to pass away— that is what life insurance is for. However, Jiu Jitsu insurance plans can act as a hybrid-type of insurance policy that not only pays the insured medical payments for injury and accidents, but also provides an extra layer of coverage with accidental life insurance benefits.

For example, some accident-injury insurance policies offered at jiujitsuinsurance.com have a built in accidental life insurance policy that will pay your beneficiary of choice a lump-sum benefit, in the event you were to pass away suddenly due to accident or injury. The lump-sum of cash, tax-free benefits, is typically in the range of $5,000 to $150,000, maybe even more depending on the insurance policy in which you enroll.

To have a policy like this adds an extra layer of protection for your family at the cost of just a few extra dollars per month. As healthy as many Jiu Jitsu athletes are, accidental deaths do happen and are actually the third leading cause of death in the United States. Life insurance may be used for surviving beneficiaries to replace income at death, pay for funeral expenses, and other debts.

At it’s core, jiu jitsu insurance plans are meant to pay for medical bills, however the added life protection for around $25 per month is definitely worth the peace of mind. At the end of the day it is important to have a health insurance plan to cover any catastrophic accident or injury however it is rare to find a health insurance plan that covers the upfront costs for treating and healing an injury. So, what’s the solution?

Click here >> to learn more about affordable personal injury insurance programs that helps the bjj community manage their medical costs as well as their financial and physical well-being. Learn more click here>>.

Already injured and just finding us now? No worries, check out the article we wrote about ways to progress in bjj when you’re injured. Check it out >>

Study mentioned in this article: click here to read study.>>